Rapid groundwater decline and some cases of recovery in aquifers globally

Nature, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 625(7996), P. 715 - 721

Published: Jan. 24, 2024

Abstract Groundwater resources are vital to ecosystems and livelihoods. Excessive groundwater withdrawals can cause levels decline 1–10 , resulting in seawater intrusion 11 land subsidence 12,13 streamflow depletion 14–16 wells running dry 17 . However, the global pace prevalence of local declines poorly constrained, because situ have not been synthesized at scale. Here we analyse groundwater-level trends for 170,000 monitoring 1,693 aquifer systems countries that encompass approximately 75% 18 We show rapid (>0.5 m year −1 ) widespread twenty-first century, especially regions with extensive croplands. Critically, also accelerated over past four decades 30% world’s regional aquifers. This acceleration deepening highlights an urgent need more effective measures address depletion. Our analysis reveals specific cases which reversed following policy changes, managed recharge surface-water diversions, demonstrating potential depleted recover.

Language: Английский

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Assessing the accuracy of OpenET satellite-based evapotranspiration data to support water resource and land management applications

Nature Water, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 2(2), P. 193 - 205

Published: Jan. 15, 2024

Abstract Remotely sensed evapotranspiration (ET) data offer strong potential to support data-driven approaches for sustainable water management. However, practitioners require robust and rigorous accuracy assessments of such data. The OpenET system, which includes an ensemble six remote sensing models, was developed increase access field-scale (30 m) ET the contiguous United States. Here we compare outputs against from 152 in situ stations, primarily eddy covariance flux towers, deployed across Mean absolute error at cropland sites value is 15.8 mm per month (17% mean observed ET), bias −5.3 (6%) r 2 0.9. Results shrublands forested show higher inter-model variability lower relative croplands. High multi-model convergence croplands demonstrate utility a model approach, enhance confidence among practitioners, including agricultural resource management community.

Language: Английский

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Global water gaps under future warming levels

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 16(1)

Published: Jan. 30, 2025

Abstract Understanding the impacts of climate change on water resources is crucial for developing effective adaptation strategies. We quantify “water gaps”, or unsustainable use – shortfall where demand exceeds supply, resulting in scarcity. baseline and future gaps using a multi-model analysis that incorporates two plausible warming scenarios. The global gap stands at 457.9 km 3 /yr, with projections indicating an increase 26.5 /yr (+5.8%) 67.4 (+14.7%) under 1.5 °C scenarios, respectively. These highlight uneven impact levels gaps, emphasizing need continued mitigation to alleviate stress resources. Our results also underscore unequal needs across countries basins, influenced by varying important regional differences model variability complicating projections. Robust management strategies are needed tackle escalating scarcity caused warming.

Language: Английский

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Mapping center pivot irrigation systems in global arid regions using instance segmentation and analyzing their spatial relationship with freshwater resources

Remote Sensing of Environment, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 297, P. 113760 - 113760

Published: Aug. 16, 2023

Language: Английский

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Role of Pacific Ocean climate in regulating runoff in the source areas of water transfer projects on the Pacific Rim

npj Climate and Atmospheric Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 7(1)

Published: June 29, 2024

Abstract Over the past two decades, more frequent and intense climate events have seriously threatened operation of water transfer projects in Pacific Rim region. However, role climatic change driving runoff variations source areas these is unclear. We used tree-ring data to reconstruct changes Hanjiang River since 1580 CE representing an important area for China’s south-north project. Comparisons with hydroclimatic reconstructions southwestern United States central Chile indicated that region has experienced multiple coinciding droughts related ENSO activity. Climate simulations indicate increased likelihood drought occurrence coming decades. The combination warming-induced stresses dynamic El Niño (warming ENSO) patterns a thread urban agglomerations agricultural regions rely on along Rim.

Language: Английский

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Establishing ecological thresholds and targets for groundwater management

Nature Water, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 2(4), P. 312 - 323

Published: April 3, 2024

Abstract Groundwater is critical for many ecosystems, yet groundwater requirements dependent ecosystems are rarely accounted during water and conservation planning. Here we compile 38 years of Landsat-derived normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) to evaluate groundwater-dependent responses changes in depth (DTG) across California. To maximize applicability, standardized raw NDVI DTG values using Z scores identify thresholds, targets map potential drought refugia a diversity biomes local conditions. thresholds were analysed impacts where dropped below −1. then evaluated with respect different condition classes rooting depths. applied statewide supported by groundwater. Our approach provides simple robust methodology practitioners support ecosystem needs so biodiversity sustainable water-management goals can be achieved.

Language: Английский

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Uncovering the gaps in managed aquifer recharge for sustainable groundwater management: A focus on hillslopes and mountains

Journal of Hydrology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 639, P. 131615 - 131615

Published: July 4, 2024

Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) is a promising approach to enhance water supply resilience, but it faces significant challenges, such as limited space and time for recharge activities, well uncertain bio-geophysical processes, complex subsurface flow heterogeneity. In this review, we assess the viability of hydrology-based approaches groundwater replenishment identify missing components in existing recovery activities. We discuss expanding opportunities under-utilized sources locations hillslopes mountain systems. Additionally, explore possibilities using road infrastructure capture runoff convey secondary porosity (alluvial fans, faults fractures) fronts. Conventional MAR are usually implemented on valley floors where restrictive clay layers can impede deep aquifers, presence legacy contaminants root or vadose zones degrade quality. Hillslope strategies offer multiple potential benefits over when there improved connectivity faster shallower zones, coarser textured deposits, better surface Studies show that hillslope accounts 15–50% floors. To further facilitate effective expansion recharge, propose landscape modifications encompassing slope correction implementing biological structural techniques repurpose roadside channel systems slow down and/or store hillslopes. These ultimately contribute sustainable management. Innovative scientific analyses help us understand impacts quality quantity, uncover limitations strengths specific locations, most Addressing these gaps will achieve more resilient future.

Language: Английский

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Competitive and synergic evolution of the water-food-ecology system: A case study of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, China

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 923, P. 171509 - 171509

Published: March 7, 2024

Language: Английский

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Towards sustainable groundwater development with effective measures under future climate change in Beijing Plain, China

Journal of Hydrology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 633, P. 130951 - 130951

Published: Feb. 28, 2024

To cope with the groundwater depletion problem and achieve sustainable development, conservation measures managed aquifer recharge (MAR) have been implemented worldwide. However, knowledge gaps exit how does system respond to these interventions differently if are adequate lead long-term development under future climate change. In Beijing Plain, two implemented: reduction of abstraction by substituting transferred surface water implementation in major rivers. This study aims assess do shallow deep aquifers can Plain A 3-D transient flow model was calibrated used simulate level budget changes from 2021 2050. The monthly estimated using projected precipitation three downscaled regional models scenarios (RCP4.5 RCP8.5). results show that declines head storage be reversed combined measures, thereby contributing development. abstractions is a deciding measure reverse trend depletion, especially confined aquifers, while large scale MAR schemes restore cones depressions maintain abstraction. Climate variation has impacts on resources, especially, consecutive dry years cause rapid depletion. 2050 not significantly different past. Therefore, minor resources next 30 years. findings will support municipality tight control implement large-scale successful example encourage managers other heavily exploited take similar

Language: Английский

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Regional drivers and characteristics of multi-year droughts

Weather and Climate Extremes, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 100748 - 100748

Published: Feb. 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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